Chaos Surrounding Bin Laden

The chaos surrounding Usama bin Laden is the subject of this evening's Talking Points memo.

In public, the Bush administration is putting a happy face on the defeat of Al Qaeda, but behind the scenes there is deep concern, because bin Laden remains elusive. And so does the head of the Taliban, Mullah Omar.

President Bush knows that these two men must be brought to justice for America to truly declare a victory, and despite big money on their heads, the two big villains remain at large.

This is a frustrating situation for all Americans, but there are some definites here. It is definite that Omar and bin Laden are getting help from organized people, whether that means Pakistan's secret police or Afghan elements that supposedly have surrendered. Some powerful people are aiding the evildoers, as President Bush would call them.

The United States will be embarrassed if bin Laden and Omar get away, there's no question about that. All the great work our military has done will be tarnished if America does not get these guys.

And President Bush must be very tough on this who are helping them, if it's proven, for example, that Pakistan provided any cover at all for bin Laden, the U.S. must sever diplomatic relations with that country immediately and cut off every bit of the money we're currently sending over there.

Remember, we bought Pakistan's cooperation. They didn't want to help us. And also remember, that country strongly supported the Taliban despite knowing they were allowing terrorists to be trained in Afghanistan.

Pakistan is on the edge as far as Talking Points is concerned.

With a week remaining before Christmas, all loyal Americans are hoping bin Laden and Omar will soon emerge in separate boxes, no bows needed.

And that's the memo.

The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day

Time now for "The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day."

TV is bad. I don't care what anybody says. On those rare nights when I have some time, I flick around the dial and the dumb stuff that's on is appalling, generally speaking.

Now comes word that the old sitcom My Three Sons is being reprised, with Chevy Chase playing the Fred MacMurray role. Now you think after all these years you could come up with something better than "My Three Sons." It was never funny in the first place, but if it's a hit, expect to see Rin Tin Tin and Father Knows Best back on the air. Ridiculous.